1987 Porsche 911 Targa – an icon of the open road

The story of the Porsche 911 Targa began in the mid-1960s. The model stood out thanks to its removable roof panel, distinctive roll hoop and panoramic rear window. The name “Targa” itself refers to the legendary Targa Florio road race, where Porsche achieved numerous victories.

The Targa was neither a typical coupé nor a traditional convertible. It created a category of its own and, over time, became one of the most recognisable versions of the 911.

By 1987, it was already a true icon. Behind the rear axle sat a 3.2-litre, air-cooled flat-six engine managed by Bosch Motronic. In European specification, it produced approximately 231 hp, delivering power in a smooth, linear way, accompanied by its distinctive sound and immediate throttle response.

It is a durable engine, but after so many years it requires particular attention. The most common issues include oil leaks, worn valve guides and faults within the ignition system.

And what about the suspension?

The suspension uses torsion bars as its springing medium, working together with oil-filled shock absorbers and anti-roll bars.

At the front, the car features a strut-type layout combined with control arms and longitudinal torsion bars. At the rear, there are independent trailing arms and transverse torsion bars.

It is a relatively simple and durable solution that suits the character of a classic 911 very well. That does not mean it is perfect, however. The design has its limitations, and its performance depends heavily on the condition of every component and on the car being set up correctly.

Because of its rear-engined layout, the front axle carries relatively little weight. At higher speeds, the aerodynamics of the body can reduce the load even further, making the front end feel lighter and the steering less stable. This is precisely why correct suspension geometry, ride height and the condition of the aerodynamic components are so important in a classic 911.

In a classic 911, simply fitting new shock absorbers is often not enough – the entire suspension must be treated as one complete system.

The Targa also has slightly less body rigidity than the full-roof version. This makes it especially important to inspect the sills, suspension mounting points, torsion tube, seals and roof mechanism.

Where did the name “Widowmaker” come from?

The nickname “Widowmaker” does not directly refer to the naturally aspirated 911 Targa 3.2.

The term is primarily associated with the more powerful version of this generation – the Porsche 911 Turbo, also known as the 930. The turbocharged 3.3-litre version gained a particularly formidable reputation.

Its demanding character was the result of high power, pronounced turbo lag, a sudden surge of torque, the rear-engined layout, its distinctive weight distribution and the absence of modern traction control and electronic stability systems.

The Targa 3.2 is far more predictable than the 911 Turbo 3.3, but it still demands an informed and deliberate driving style. Smooth steering and throttle inputs, a proper understanding of weight transfer, and a well-maintained, correctly set-up suspension are all essential.

This is the Targa we have chosen as the foundation for our next project at Restomotive.

Our aim is to preserve its authenticity and mechanical character, highlight its greatest strengths, improve the weaker aspects of the original design and restore it to a condition in which every drive once again feels like a special occasion.

There is a great deal of work ahead of us, along with fascinating technical decisions and unexpected discoveries. Step by step, we will share the entire process – from disassembly to the moment this air-cooled classic returns to the road.